Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union
In previous years, Union sporting director Ernst Tanner has mostly eschewed adding players from other MLS sides. But that pattern seems to be changing.
The Union followed yesterday’s trade for center back Damion Lowe by finalizing the acquisition of midfielder Joaquin Torres from CF Montreal on Thursday morning.
“Joaquín offers a new dimension to our attack with his ball progression skills and aggressive, forward-moving mindset,” Tanner said in a press release.
In exchange, the Union sent a total of $500,000 in General Allocation Money (split 50-50 between 2023 and 2024) to Montreal, with another $300,000 in conditional GAM headed north if certain performance conditions are met.
As with Lowe, the Torres signing adds depth and versatility to what was already a championship-caliber side. Torres can play as both a winger and as an attacking midfielder, allowing him to cover for Daniel Gazdag and the striker corps while giving manager Jim Curtin the option to throw a different look at teams than the usual 4-4-2 diamond.
“He excels at creating opportunities as well as finishing, and his dynamic, proactive movements are exactly what we were looking to add to our attack,” said Tanner.
Torres, who turns 26 next week, enters his third season in MLS. He started 22 matches for Montreal in 2021, contributing four goals and five assists. While his playing time dipped last season, starting just 15 games, he chipped in three goals and seven assists for a side that finished just two points behind the Union in the East.
Torres started his career with Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina. He will occupy an international roster spot.
Torres and Lowe join midfielder Andres Perea as the Union’s three primary offseason acquisitions. All three were signed from other MLS sides.
The Union continue their preseason scrimmages in Florida tomorrow with a match against Minnesota United.
Welcome, Joaquín!
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This should be a fascinating year. With so many non-MLS matches expected, I’m very interested to see how the lineup changes/tactical flexibility unfolds, and how quickly the squad acclimates to those changes and the new player mix.
Glesnes, Elliott, Craig, Lowe, Aremeyaw, and Portella should he stick with the first team make six center backs. To me that suggests a possibility of three center backs.
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Furthermore, they seem loaded with potential wing backs. Assuming Wagner stays, they have Wagner, Mbaizo, Harriel, Real, Sorenson, and Flach.
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They have four defensive mids without counting McGlynn: Martinez, Odada Perea and Bueno.
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In the attack Torres replaces Aaronson and Rafanello replaces Burke, so when adding Sullivan the attacking triangle has seven with Uhre, Carranza, Gazdag and Donovan. It wok dee eight if Nelson Pierre is signed to the first team as a homegrown.
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To me a key point is that I have not mentioned Bedoya. He would be able to rest in the 3-4-1-2 that I am imagining.
And now Tom Bogart reports that Union have rejected two offers for Jose Martinez from Turkish league Besitkas. Highest offer rejected was $2M, though the conversation apparently is still open.
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If you are Tanner, what’s your minimum?
Maybe $3m? If Martinez wants to leave, I think you make a deal happen. With Perea, Flach, and Odada all around (or the possibility of a five-man backline with Lowe), there’s plenty of cover to replace him.
I can’t see Martinez wanting to leave unless he was offered a lot more money!
I supposed that is fair market value… surprised he is valued at 2M on Transfermkt, which is below some other MLS 6’s. Guessing his age is compressing the $ just a bit. Even so, Besitkas appears to be hurting at the position.